Fuel Smarts

Propane Autogas Ford F-150 Hits Northwest in Coast-to-Coast Tour

Propane vehicles are displacing about 1 million gallons of gasoline and 1,600 cubic-feet of greenhouse gas emissions annually in the Seattle area. (PHOTO: Joanne Tucker)

The same Ford F-150 that broke records at this year’s Work Truck Show as the fasted propane-autogas-converted vehicle is now making its way throughout the country. The propane-autogas-powered pickup has so far traveled from Kansas, made stops in Colorado and Utah, and now sits briefly in Seattle before heading on — all to demonstrate and serve as a testament to how quickly and easily a vehicle can be converted to propane, and run on it.

The tour has now reached the West Coast (see photo) and is on it's way to the East Coast (Jacksonville, Fla.).

“It’s about awareness,” said Darren Engle, director of government relations at Blue Star Gas, a sponsor of the event. He noted that Alliance Autogas and the propane industry have made some significant achievements.

According to Engle, who works in Blue Star Gas’ office just outside downtown Seattle, propane vehicles are displacing about 1 million gallons of gasoline and 1,600 cubic-feet of greenhouse gas emissions annually in the Seattle area. “We’re affecting the health of our children — no one can argue with that,” he added.

Throughout Washington, Engle says that fleet propane autogas customers have grown from just a few to now hundreds, ranging from Seattle Children’s, the first propane autogas customer there, to SuperShuttle and DHL. “It’s really not that hard to convert, and that’s what we want to show to fleets,” he said. “There’s a great ROI.”

The propane-autogas-powered pickup has so far traveled from Kansas, made stops in Colorado and Utah, and now sits briefly in Seattle. (PHOTO: Joanne Tucker)

Western Washington Clean Cities (WWCC) was also at the event in support of alternative fuels. WWCC Coordinator Scott DeWees explained how if all the gas consumed annually in the U.S. were lined up in supertankers, it would line the coast from Seattle to Redding, Calif. — about a 10-hour drive. “We’re beginning to hit a critical mass on alternative fuels, so we need to celebrate the ease in which fleets can convert to propane autogas,” he said.

Seemingly acting out of character, the Environmental Protection Agency on Nov. 13 announced it will launch a rulemaking to further cut the emission of nitrogen oxide from diesel-powered heavy-duty trucks.